Voter registration closes July 16 for August primary

July 9, 2012

If you are a new resident to the state of Florida you must be registered to vote prior to the book closing deadline to vote in the Aug. 14 Primary election. Registered voters can change their party and register to vote at all four Lee County Elections Offices or, if they choose to mail in their applications, they must be postmarked on or by Monday, July 16.

Florida is a closed primary state, which means that you must be registered with the party to vote for the party's candidates unless there is no candidate of another party on the general election ballot. School Board and Judicial candidates are non-partisan, and all voters are eligible to vote in those races.

Early voting will begin on Saturday, Aug. 4, and end on Saturday, Aug. 11. Early voting hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sunday 9 a.m. 5 p.m. All eligible Lee County voters can vote early at any of the following locations:

* Lee County Elections Main Office

2480 Thompson St., Fort Myers

533-8683

* Cape Coral Branch Office

1031 S.E. 9th Place No. 3, Cape Coral

533-7031

* Election Center Branch Office

13180 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers

533-6918

* East County Regional Library

881 Gunnery Road, Lehigh Acres

533-8683

* Bonita Springs Branch Office

24951 Old U.S. 41, Suite No. 10, Bonita Springs

949-1581

The Logic & Accuracy Testing will be held on Thursday, Aug. 2, at 9 a.m. at the Lee County Election Center, (behind Robb & Stucky) 13180 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers. The purpose is to test, by a random method of selection the voting machines to be used in the election during Early Voting and at the Precinct on Election Day. Immediately following this will be the testing of the Mail Ballot Tabulators at the Main Office, Lee County Constitutional Complex, 2480 Thompson St 3rd Floor Fort Myers.

The Lee County Elections Office's objective is to provide quality election services that include transparent yet secure elections with timely and accurate results. Please visit www.leeelections.com or call LEE VOTE (533-8683) for information about voter registration, voter registration drives in the community, candidate information, elected officials information and election results.